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Low Cost Rabies Clinics announced

It is estimated that every year 30,000 – 40,000 U.S. residents are potentially exposed to rabies requiring human rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. The World Rabies Day initiative is a global rabies awareness campaign spearheaded by United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control. “Rabies prevention starts with the animal owner,” advises Crystal Steele, Environmental Health Manager of the Walton County Health Department. “We recommend that people vaccinate dogs, cats, ferrets and any other animal that has regular contact with humans.” Walton County Health Department is teaming up with local agencies to provide the following events to increase awareness about rabies, and to raise support and funding towards its prevention and control. The following activities are planned:

Dogwood Acres Veterinary Clinic is hosting two reduced cost rabies clinics in Walton County. Horses are welcome and the Coggins test will be available. For questions and more information about fees, please call Dogwood Acres at (850) 689-2553. o Saturday, October 1, 2011 - reduced cost rabies clinic at the Old Ponce De Leon Gym parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. o Saturday, October 8, 2011 - reduced cost rabies clinic at the Horse N Around Tack store on Highway 20 in Mossy Head from 1200 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Santa Rosa Animal Clinic (Dr. Beck) will donate one rabies vaccine for each one given at their location during the week of October 3rd. Location: 3906 U.S. Hwy 98 W in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. For more information, please call (850) 267-0340.

In the United States, the greatest achievement in rabies control and prevention occurred half-a-century ago with effective implementation of dog vaccination, licensing and stray dog control. Despite being 100% preventable, it is estimated that 55,000 people die worldwide from rabies each year, approximately one person every ten minutes.